Idaho test scores show mixed results

Spring test results from Idaho students show gains and losses in different areas of reading and math.

Students in kindergarten through third grade take the Idaho Reading Indicator test to monitor reading proficiency. Those students have shown growth in early literacy, according to a news release from the Idaho State Department of Education.

The data shows that 66% of kindergarteners scored proficient and 75% of second graders and third graders were proficient. The percentage of kindergarteners who scored proficiently increased by 1% from last year. In 2022, 72% of second graders and third graders scored proficient, so those numbers increased as well.

In 2020, kindergarteners didn’t take the Idaho Reading Indicator because schools were closed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Those students who took the test in 2021 scored 60% as first graders, then 72% as second graders and 75% as third graders, according to the release.

However, the news release also noted the spring test scores dropped from previous years, but claimed the drop is because the assessment vendor, Istation, used new data norms to the proficiency scales. According to Idaho Education News, kindergarten through third grade scores in 2022 were 69% proficient.

“Idaho’s public school educators have helped our students recover early literacy learning loss at an exceptional rate,” said Chief Deputy Superintendent Ryan Cantrell in the news release.

“The trends are generally positive, and I’m encouraged by the increased focus we’re placing on making sure more Idaho students are solid readers early in their academic careers,” said Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield in the news release. “Reading is central to a student’s success and we’re doubling our efforts to make literacy a hallmark of what we do.”

In the news release Critchfield cited several programs and initiatives that helped with improving reading for students such as the K-3 SMART program that studies the science of reading, using federal funds for supplemental reading interventions, hiring a Early Literacy Coordinator and Idaho Gov. Brad Little’s expansion of full-day kindergarten and $72.8 million toward early literacy.

Although the numbers for the Idaho Reading Indicator improved, the numbers from the Idaho Standards Achievement Test, or ISAT, showed a decrease in the spring test, which monitors students’ performance in math, science and reading.

This year 52% of students scored proficient or better in English language arts and literacy, which is down from 56% from previous year’s scores. In math, 42% of students scored at proficient or better, which decreased by 1% from last year.

The news release also provided numbers for four districts or charter schools that had improved ISAT numbers, including Rockland School District, West Ada School District, Syringa Charter School and Cascade School District, but individual school districts or schools were not provided.

“This year’s ISAT scores are lower than what we saw in 2021 and 2022 when our students were showing improvement coming out of the pandemic,” Cantrell said in the news release. “The 2023 decrease may be due in part to Idaho students participating in a longer ISAT rather than the shortened version used in 2021 and 2022. In some instances, very young students were taking tests for long periods more appropriate for high school and college students. This can lead to lower scores based on testing fatigue.”

Cantrell also noted in the news release that the English language arts portion of the ISAT has more sections and takes longer to complete. This portion of the test will be shorter in 2024 and should reflect a more accurate assessment of the student’s learning.

Other measures by the state to improve the ISAT English language art scores are to provide dyslexia professional development and create Professional Learning Communities to ensure students learn at a high level.

The news release also stated that the Idaho State Department of Education will be implementing resources and professional development programs to support math instruction such as supporting Regional Math Centers for collaboration, providing Imagine Math curriculum for free and establishing the Idaho Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

“The mixed results we’re seeing on these two assessments offer us a chance to pause and look at the variables that went into the equation,” Cantrell said in the news release. “One of our priorities is to ensure that the time and energy that goes into these assessments yields an accurate representation of what our students are learning and where we as educators can focus additional support for our students.”

Brewster may be contacted at kbrewster@lmtribune.com or at (208) 848-2297.